Considering that Clube Nacional, an age-old socialInstitution, completed its 100 years of existence on December 3, there is nojoy which can be expressed, as the actual date of its launch was somewherearound September 26, 1912. However, likeall things in Goa the facts are distorted from actuality as the people tend toimpose their own views irrespective of what the documents might otherwise say.Nevertheless, in contemporary circumstances, the contentions are ignored orfalsified although new dispensation clearly implies about its existence tousher a glimpse of its glorious past.
I would term it Clube Nacional as the offshoot of ClubeVasco da Gama founded in 1910. However, Clube Vasco da Gama consisted ofelements of Portuguese High Echelons, much to abhorrence of locals who wantedto ascertain their rights of individuality over the white Portuguesesuzerainty. Therefore, Clube Nacional gained prominence as being the only GoanSocial Club which amalgamated the Portuguese joie de vivre with its ownculture. It can be mentioned that theclash of egos between the natives and the whites bore no implication within thePortuguese administrative dispensation, ergo, the original inhabitants of theCity of Nova Goa obtained all the necessary sanctions to launch theirprestigious Clube Nacional for future generations to pay heed that Goans wereGoans while Portuguese were Portuguese and the matter thus remained stet.
As good things goes by, I became a member of Clube Nacionalapproximately in 1968, soon after the Liberation of Goa (or as someonementions: the Conquest of Goa). At that time, the club was still in its nascentstage and being disinterested I somehow neglected the past history of the Club.All that I can express is that friends that mattered the most were all membersof the Club.
On attaining the membership of the club everything was hunkydory within that ambit of innocence with activities making headway within theprecincts and the remains was left to our fantasies. However I can vividly remember that theCarnival Float ‘Tango Tango’ actually originated from the Club premises underthe aegis of the evergreen Vasco Alvares. Then there is always the first ‘MandoFestival’ commenced somewhere in mid-1966. Not to be outdone the FlowerFestival took its roots somewhere in early 70s to make a grand success in theworld of Fernando Rego who as then working for Agriculture Department. Architect Ralino de Souza took the match alittle further by organising a ‘Fashion Parade’ somewhere in early 70s withLigia Barreto to flag-off fashion culture in Goa.
I personally am aware of games played in the area demarcatedto the club by its respective owners “ the Vaglo family. However, I do havelimited space to recount my thirst for the past, although I can safely assumethat besides traditional dances, all that remains of its past glory is thepresence of ‘Snack Bar’ to delight one and all which is not easy to come by.
Caetano de Abreu
